Arizona Ban on Photo Enforcement

“Again, we’re here talking about the unconstitutional, unsafe in many instances, and rife with fraud industry that has become photo radar,” he told the House Judiciary Committee. “There’s still constitutional issues with photo radar, there’s issues with due process, there’s issues with affording people the right to confront their accuser.”

Grantham also alleges that drivers react unexpectedly when radar devices are triggered, therefore causing more accidents. The referenced fraud is the kickback scheme former CEO of Phoenix-based Redflex Traffic Systems Inc plead guilty to in 2015.

This is now the first attempt at the Arizona Ban on Photo Enforcement (photo radar and red light cameras) in recent years, however most failed. The bans that passed removed cameras from; state highways, Star Valley, U.S. 60 in El Mirage, Tucson, and other cities have also stopped using photo enforcement and red light cameras in recent years despite public outcry. There are still many cities using these devices in Phoenix.

Supporters of the bill to ban these devices such as Grantham call photo-enforcement cameras a modern “tyranny” and a “police state tactic.” He and other Republican lawmakers said cameras were little more than a naked attempt for cities to squeeze revenue.

Others urging a no vote in the senate include Arizona SADD, Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and Arizona League of Cities and Towns.

In Star Valley, speeding violations shot up 256 percent after cameras were removed, and similar increases were logged in El Mirage with all types of violations after the state banned cameras on U.S. 60, advocates reported.

Arizona has long been plagued by high numbers of red-light accidents and deaths, but also been mired in controversy over photo enforcement just as long.

Grantham’s proposal now goes to the full House after a routine constitutional review. Use the link below to follow the House Bill.